Saturday, February 21, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 71

1. Named after a Boston endocrinologist, what term describes the most common sex chromosome disorder in which the affected male has an extra X chromosome?

Klinefelter’s Syndrome

2. Only two chemical elements exist as liquids at normal room temperature. What are they?

Bromine and Mercury

3. Name the historical event that took place between May 25 and September 17 in 1787 that resulted in drafting of the constitution of United States of America.

The Philadelphia Convention

4. Which king once famously said ‘I am the State’?

Louis XIV

5. What is the term in economics to describe highly liquid assets that are not cash but can be easily converted into cash?

Near Money

6. What term that literally means ‘Mountain Fortress’ denotes the popular Chinese subculture of pirated brands and goods?

Shanzhai

7. In professional wrestling who are jobbers?

Wrestlers who are scripted to lose their match

8. What word borrowed from German describes the feeling of delight at the suffering of others?

Schadenfreude

9. What rare mineral named after a famous crystallographer has displaced diamond as the hardest substance?.

Lonsdaleite

10. What term describes sharing of office space between employees who are on different shifts or schedule?

Hot Desk

Monday, February 16, 2009

QUIZ - 71

1. Named after a Boston endocrinologist, what term describes the most common sex chromosome disorder in which the affected male has an extra X chromosome?

2. Only two chemical elements exist as liquids at normal room temperature. What are they?

3. Name the historical event that took place between May 25 and September 17 in 1787 that resulted in drafting of the constitution of United States of America.

4. Which king once famously said ‘I am the State’?

5. What is the term in economics to describe highly liquid assets that are not cash but can be easily converted into cash?

6. What term that literally means ‘Mountain Fortress’ denotes the popular Chinese subculture of pirated brands and goods?

7. In professional wrestling who are jobbers?

8. What word borrowed from German describes the feeling of delight at the suffering of others?

9. What rare mineral named after a famous crystallographer has displaced diamond as the hardest substance?.

10. What term describes sharing of office space between employees who are on different shifts or schedule?

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 70

1. Which specie of bird is widely believed to have propelled Charles Darwin in his postulation of the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection?

Finch

2. At a meeting of which well known scientific society did Charles Darwin present his famous theory of evolution on 1st July 1858?

The Linnean Society

3. Which British naturalist independently proposed the theory of natural evolution and thereby precipitated Charles Darwin’s decision to publish his own theory?

Alfred Russell Wallace

4. The inheritance from which famous family, to which he was connected through both his mother and wife, helped Charles Darwin in his chosen vocation?

Wedgwood

5. Who was the captain of HMS Beagle that took Charles Darwin on his 5 year long path breaking scientific expedition?

Robert FitzRoy

6. What marine creature did Charles Darwin study for 8 long years from 1846 to 1854 to train himself in zoology?

Barnacles

7. Name the renowned Geologist whose work deeply influenced Charles Darwin.

Sir Charles Lyell

8. What did Charles Darwin study in Edinburgh between 1825 and 1827 before abandoning it for theological studies in Cambridge?

Medicine

9. Name the famous botanist and explorer with whom Charles Darwin struck a deep friendship and whom he described as "the one living soul from whom I have constantly received sympathy".

Joseph Dalton Hooker

10. What was the strange subject of Charles Darwin’s last book published in 1881, a year before his death?

Vegetable Mould and Worms

Monday, February 09, 2009

QUIZ - 70

February 12 marks the 200th birth anniversary of one of the all time great scientists, Charles Darwin. This quiz is dedicated to his memory.

1. Which specie of bird is widely believed to have propelled Charles Darwin in his postulation of the Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection?Justify Full
2. At a meeting of which well known scientific society did Charles Darwin present his famous theory of evolution on 1st July 1858?

3. Which British naturalist independently proposed the theory of natural evolution and thereby precipitated Charles Darwin’s decision to publish his own theory?

4. The inheritance from which famous family, to which he was connected through both his mother and wife, helped Charles Darwin in his chosen vocation?

5. Who was the captain of HMS Beagle that took Charles Darwin on his 5 year long path breaking scientific expedition?

6. What marine creature did Charles Darwin study for 8 long years from 1846 to 1854 to train himself in zoology?

7. Name the renowned Geologist whose work deeply influenced Charles Darwin.

8. What did Charles Darwin study in Edinburgh between 1825 and 1827 before abandoning it for theological studies in Cambridge?

9. Name the famous botanist and explorer with whom Charles Darwin struck a deep friendship and whom he described as "the one living soul from whom I have constantly received sympathy".

10. What was the strange subject of Charles Darwin’s last book published in 1881, a year before his death?

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 69

1. What is the most common language spoken by Kurdish people?

Kurmanji

2. What term describes the naturally occurring phenomenon of dense concentration of harmful algae in marine bodies that lead to the death of fish?

Red Tide

3. The national film awards of France are given out every year in February and are named after the sculptor who designed the trophies. What are these awards called?

César Awards after César Baldaccini

4. The Haute Route is considered to be the most challenging ski tour in the world. Between which two points in the Alps does this route stretch?

Chamonix in France and Zermatt in Switzerland

5. Who are schmooseoisie?

The people who make their living by talking

6. What term describes food derived from genetically modified plants and animals?

Frankenfood

7. The Henry Draper Medal is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences for contributions to astrophysics. What did Henry Draper pioneer?

Astrophotography

8. Which chemical compound has the highest melting point of all known substances in the world at 4215 Degrees C?

Tantalum Hafnium Carbide

9. 50 years ago the Nobel Prize winning physicist Richard Feynman delivered a famous lecture
‘There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom’. What concept did this lecture give birth to?

Nanotechnology

10. What famous bridge was known by the nickname of Galloping Gertie?

The Tacoma Narrows suspension bridge which collapsed dramatically on 7th Nov 1940.

Sunday, February 01, 2009

QUIZ - 69

1. What is the most common language spoken by Kurdish people?

2. What term describes the naturally occurring phenomenon of dense concentration of harmful algae in marine bodies that lead to the death of fish?

3. The national film awards of France are given out every year in February and are named after the sculptor who designed the trophies. What are these awards called?

4. The Haute Route is considered to be the most challenging ski tour in the world. Between which two points in the Alps does this route stretch?

5. Who are schmooseoisie?

6. What term describes food derived from genetically modified plants and animals?

7. The Henry Draper Medal is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences for contributions to astrophysics. What did Henry Draper pioneer?

8. Which chemical compound has the highest melting point of all known substances in the world at 4215 Degrees C?

9. 50 years ago the Nobel Prize winning physicist Richard Feynman delivered a famous lecture ‘There is Plenty of Room at the Bottom’. What concept did this lecture give birth to?

10. What famous bridge was known by the nickname of Galloping Gertie?

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 68

1. In 1788 Robert Burns wrote his most famous poem ‘Auld Lang Syne’, which is customarily sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day. What do the words Auld Lang Syne literally mean?
Justify Full
Old Long Since

2. What is Robert Burns’ most famous nickname that reflects his humble origins as the son of a poor farmer?

The Ploughman Poet

3. Name the first poem of Robert Burns that he wrote in 1774 at the age of 15 inspired by Nelly Kilpatrick, the daughter of the village blacksmith.

My Handsome Nell

4. Robert Burns got his work published for the first time in 1786 and it was a turning point in his poetic career. By what popular name do we know this first collection of poems?

The Kilmarnock Edition

5. Robert Burns wrote one of his longest and finest poems in 1790. Name this poem which has also lent its name to a type of Scottish hat.

Tam O’ Shanter

6. What traditional Scottish dish is associated with Robert Burns?

Haggis

7. Name the muse of Robert Burns, whom he referred to in his poem The Vision

Colia

8. Into which cult organization was Robert Burns initiated in 1781?

Freemasons

9. What trade did Robert Burns formally learn?

Flax combing

10. Robert Burns had 9 children from his wife Jean Armour. What was unusual about his last child Maxwell?

He was born on the same day and almost to the same hour when his father died.

Monday, January 26, 2009

QUIZ - 68

Today the whole of England is celebrating the 250th birth anniversary of Robert Burns.
Here are 10 questions on Robert Burns

1. In 1788 Robert Burns wrote his most famous poem ‘Auld Lang Syne’, which is customarily sung at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day. What do the words Auld Lang Syne literally mean?

2. What is Robert Burns’ most famous nickname that reflects his humble origins as the son of a poor farmer?

3. Name the first poem of Robert Burns that he wrote in 1774 at the age of 15 inspired by Nelly Kilpatrick, the daughter of the village blacksmith.

4. Robert Burns got his work published for the first time in 1786 and it was a turning point in his poetic career. By what popular name do we know this first collection of poems?

5. Robert Burns wrote one of his longest and finest poems in 1790. Name this poem which has also lent its name to a type of Scottish hat.

6. What traditional Scottish dish is associated with Robert Burns?

7. Name the muse of Robert Burns, whom he referred to in his poem The Vision

8. Into which cult organization was Robert Burns initiated in 1781?

9. What trade did Robert Burns formally learn?

10. Robert Burns had 9 children from his wife Jean Armour. What was unusual about his last child Maxwell?

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Answers to Quiz - 67

1. Our heart is normally located in the left side of the chest. What term describes the abnormal condition in which the heart is on the right side of the chest?

Dextrocardia

2. What is Pognology the study of?

Beards

3. What structure built on a rock in the Atlantic Ocean is popularly known as The Teardrop of Ireland, because it was the last piece of the country the emigrants saw as they sailed for a better life in America?

The Fastnet Lighthouse

4. What is the name of the tool used for drilling a hole in the skull in a surgery?

Craniotome

5. What sphere of human activity does the Washington Accord signed in 1989 cover?

Engineering Education

6. In which sport would you come across horns, antlers, ears and winglets?

Formula One Racing. They are appendages on the car for improving its aerodynamics.

7. What is meant by Elvis Year?

The year in which the popularity of a product, service, or individual is at its peak

8. What fatal disease, named after a Japanese doctor, is predominantly found among young children, and results in the inflammation of blood vessels?

Kawasaki Syndrome

9. The maximum theoretical efficiency of a solar cell is named after two physicists who first calculated this value in 1961. What is the name of this term?

Shockley-Queisser Limit after William Shockley and Hans Queisser.

10. In 1926 a Russian economist proposed a business cycle lasting 50-60 years in capitalist economies consisting of four phases – beneficial inflation, stagflation, beneficial deflation and deflation. What is the name of this business cycle?

Kondratieff Cycle

Sunday, January 18, 2009

QUIZ - 67

1. Our heart is normally located in the left side of the chest. What term describes the abnormal condition in which the heart is on the right side of the chest?

2. What is Pognology the study of?

3. What structure built on a rock in the Atlantic Ocean is popularly known as The Teardrop of Ireland, because it was the last piece of the country the emigrants saw as they sailed for a better life in America?

4. What is the name of the tool used for drilling a hole in the skull in a surgery?

5. What sphere of human activity does the Washington Accord signed in 1989 cover?

6. In which sport would you come across horns, antlers, ears and winglets?

7. What is meant by Elvis Year?

8. What fatal disease, named after a Japanese doctor, is predominantly found among young children, and results in the inflammation of blood vessels?

9. The maximum theoretical efficiency of a solar cell is named after two physicists who first calculated this value in 1961. What is the name of this term?

10. In 1926 a Russian economist proposed a business cycle lasting 50-60 years in capitalist economies consisting of four phases – beneficial inflation, stagflation, beneficial deflation and deflation. What is the name of this business cycle?

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Answers to Quiz- 66

1. For 70 years he rented, repaired, rebuilt, reconfigured and restored typewriters in a shop in New York that advertised itself as “Psychoanalysis for Your Typewriter.” Such was his authority and popularity that letters addressed to "Mr. Typewriter, New York" would be delivered to his store. Name this wizard of Manual Typewriters who passed away in September 2008.

Martin Tytell


2. An article published in 1945 in Wireless World gave birth to the concept of Geostationary Orbits for communication satellites. The article’s author, an extraordinary science fiction writer and futurist among other things passed away in March 2008. He has been immortalized for posterity by having the Geostationary Orbits named after him. What is the name given to these orbits?

Clarke Orbits

3. Born as Tula Elice Finklea, she started dancing lessons at the age of 6 to build up her strength after a bout of polio. She then went on to act in Hollywood Musicals such as Singin’ in the Rain and The Band Wagon opposite Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Fred Astaire called her ‘Beautiful Dynamite’. She passed away in June 2008. By what name do we know her?

Cyd Charisse

4. He served as President of his country for 32 years, one of the longest reigns of uninterrupted power in modern history. Known as the ‘Smiling General’, he passed away in January 2008. Name him.

Suharto, former President of Indonesia.


5. In 1958 he became the youngest Grandmaster in chess at the age of 15 years and 6 months, a record broken only in 1991 by Judit Polgar. Name this eccentric maestro, considered to be one of the greatest chess players of all time, who died in January 2008.

Bobby Fischer


6. Known as The Giggling Guru for the high-pitched laugh he often used to emphasize his observations, his followers included celebrities like The Beatles. He introduced Transcendentalist Meditation to the West, but later became embroiled in many controversies and John Lennon wrote the song "Sexy Sadie" as a thinly-disguised denunciation of him. Name this spiritual purveyor who passed away in February 2008.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

7. Sir Edmund Hilary, the first man to climb Mount Everest died in January 2008. Who was the leader of that successful 1953 British Expedition?

John Hunt

8. Who directed ‘Out of Africa’, the 1985 epic film that won 7 Academy Awards including those for Best Picture and Best Director? He died in May 2008.

Sydney Pollack

9. Name the Cambodian photojournalist and Genocide survivor who was the subject of the Academy Award-winning film The Killing Fields. He passed away in March 2008.

Dith Pran

10. Name the South African Grammy Award winning singer and Civil Rights activist who was Justify Fulloften referred to as Mama Afrika. She died in November 2008.

Miriam Makeba

Monday, January 12, 2009

QUIZ - 66

1. For 70 years he rented, repaired, rebuilt, reconfigured and restored typewriters in a shop in New York that advertised itself as “Psychoanalysis for Your Typewriter.” Such was his authority and popularity that letters addressed to "Mr. Typewriter, New York" would be delivered to his store. Name this wizard of Manual Typewriters who passed away in September 2008.

2. An article published in 1945 in Wireless World gave birth to the concept of Geostationary Orbits for communication satellites. The article’s author, an extraordinary science fiction writer and futurist among other things passed away in March 2008. He has been immortalized for posterity by having the Geostationary Orbits named after him. What is the name given to these orbits?

3. Born as Tula Elice Finklea, she started dancing lessons at the age of 6 to build up her strength after a bout of polio. She then went on to act in Hollywood Musicals such as Singin’ in the Rain and The Band Wagon opposite Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Fred Astaire called her ‘Beautiful Dynamite’. She passed away in June 2008. By what name do we know her?

4. He served as President of his country for 32 years, one of the longest reigns of uninterrupted power in modern history. Known as the ‘Smiling General’, he passed away in January 2008. Name him.

5. In 1958 he became the youngest Grandmaster in chess at the age of 15 years and 6 months, a record broken only in 1991 by Judit Polgar. Name this eccentric maestro, considered to be one of the greatest chess players of all time, who died in January 2008.

6. Known as The Giggling Guru for the high-pitched laugh he often used to emphasize his observations, his followers included celebrities like The Beatles. He introduced Transcendentalist Meditation to the West, but later became embroiled in many controversies and John Lennon wrote the song "Sexy Sadie" as a thinly-disguised denunciation of him. Name this spiritual purveyor who passed away in February 2008.

7. Sir Edmund Hilary, the first man to climb Mount Everest died in January 2008. Who was the leader of that successful 1953 British Expedition?

8. Who directed ‘Out of Africa’, the 1985 epic film that won 7 Academy Awards including those for Best Picture and Best Director? He died in May 2008.

9. Name the Cambodian photojournalist and Genocide survivor who was the subject of the Academy Award-winning film The Killing Fields. He passed away in March 2008.

10. Name the South African Grammy Award winning singer and Civil Rights activist who was often referred to as Mama Afrika. She died in November 2008.

Sunday, November 09, 2008

Answers to Quiz - 65

1. Eight American Presidents have died in office. Who was the first one to do so? Incidentally his tenure is the shortest, a mere 31 days.

William Henry Harrison

2. Four American Presidents have been assassinated. Two of them are Abraham Lincoln and
John F Kennedy. Name the other two.

James Garfield (1881) and William McKinley (1901)

3. 15 Presidents have been elected for two consecutive terms. Name the only President to have served two non-consecutive terms.

Grover Cleveland (1885-89 and 1893-97)

4. What ignominy do Presidents Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson share?

The only 2 Presidents to have been impeached

5. Name the President, whose grandfather was also a president

Benjamin Harrison

6. In the history of American Presidency, what is the extraordinary record held by Gerald Ford?

The only President to serve as President without being elected to either the presidency or the vice presidency, following the resignations of Vice-President Spiro Agnew and President Richard Nixon

7. Which two Presidents have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize during the tenure of their presidency? Jimmy Carter won it in 2002 after the tenure of his presidency.

Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson in 1919

8. There have been 4 instances of a President winning the election despite losing the majority popular vote. The last time it happened was in 2000, when George Bush won despite Al Gore winning the majority popular vote. When did this happen the first time and who were the 2 contestants?

1824, John Quincy Adams was elected as the president despite Andrew Jackson winning the majority popular vote

9. Name the only bachelor President

James Buchanan (1857-61)

10. What is the so called ‘20 year curse’ finally broken by President Ronald Reagan?

Prior to him all presidents elected in an year ending in 0 had died in office

Sunday, November 02, 2008

QUIZ - 65

Next week we will know who will be 44th President of USA, arguably the most powerful elected office on earth. Here are 10 questions on the American Presidents of the past.

1. Eight American Presidents have died in office. Who was the first one to do so? Incidentally his tenure is the shortest, a mere 31 days.

2. Four American Presidents have been assassinated. Two of them are Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy. Name the other two.

3. 15 Presidents have been elected for two consecutive terms. Name the only President to have served two non-consecutive terms.

4. What ignominy do Presidents Bill Clinton and Andrew Johnson share?

5. Name the President, whose grandfather was also a president

6. In the history of American Presidency, what is the extraordinary record held by Gerald Ford?

7. Which two Presidents have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize during the tenure of their presidency? Jimmy Carter won it in 2002 after the tenure of his presidency.

8. There have been 4 instances of a President winning the election despite losing the majority popular vote. The last time it happened was in 2000, when George Bush won despite Al Gore winning the majority popular vote. When did this happen the first time and who were the 2 contestants?

9. Name the only bachelor President

10. What is the so called ‘20 year curse’ finally broken by President Ronald Reagan?

Sunday, October 05, 2008

Answers to Quiz - 64

1. Name Paul Newman’s debut film of 1954, in which he played a Greek artisan who makes an ornate holder for the goblet employed by Jesus at the Last Supper. The reviews were so bad Newman actually took out a full-page advert in a trade paper, apologising to film-goers for his performance.

The Silver Chalice

2. For which 1956 film did his producer Charles Schnee and director Robert Wise give him what they called a "Noscar” when he failed to receive an Oscar nomination?

Somebody Up There Likes Me

3. For which 1958 film did Paul Newman receive his first Oscar nomination for playing a bitter, alcoholic former star athlete opposite Elizabeth Taylor?

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

4. With which 1968 film about a repressed school teacher did Paul Newman make his directorial debut?

Rachel Rachel

5. Name the production company that Paul Newman founded in 1971 along with Sidney Poitier, Barbra Streisand and Steve McQueen.

First Artists

6. Paul Newman was nominated for nine acting Academy Awards in five different decades – 50’s, 60’s, 80’s, 90’s and finally in 2002. Which 1986 film fetched him his one and only acting Oscar?

The Color of Money

7. Along with Peter O'Toole, Al Pacino, Bing Crosby and Cate Blanchett, Paul Newman shares a rare distinction to be nominated for an Oscar twice for playing the same role in two separate films. What was the role and the two films?

Fast Eddie Felson in The Hustler (1961) and The Color of Money (1986)

8. What unique Oscar distinction does Paul Newman share with Frank Sinatra?

The only other actor to win an Actor Academy Award (1986) , a Humanitarian Academy Award (1993) and a Special Honorary Academy Award (1985)

9. Students of Princeton University and some other American colleges observe an annual tradition of Newman’s Day when they down 24 beers in 24 hours. This celebration is allegedly based on a Paul Newman character from one of his fims. Name the film.

Cool Hand Luke

10. In 1958 Paul Newman married Joanne Woodward and their 50 year long marriage is one of the most celebrated and longest matrimonial unions in the otherwise fickle Hollywood relationships. They acted together in 10 films. Name their first film together which led to Paul Newman divorcing his first wife Jackie Witte followed by their marriage.

The Long Hot Summer

Sunday, September 28, 2008

QUIZ - 64

This was meant to be a quiz on F1 Race Circuits, to welcome the latest addition to F1 venues, Singapore, where in less than an hour from now, an exciting night time race on the city streets will get underway. But then the sad demise of Paul Newman, one of the finest actors and also a perfect gentleman, changed all that. Here are 10 questions on Paul Newman, the actor.

1. Name Paul Newman’s debut film of 1954, in which he played a Greek artisan who makes an ornate holder for the goblet employed by Jesus at the Last Supper. The reviews were so bad that Newman actually took out a full-page advert in a trade paper, apologising to film-goers for his performance.

2. For which 1956 film did his producer Charles Schnee and director Robert Wise give him what they called a "Noscar” when he failed to receive an Oscar nomination?

3. For which 1958 film did Paul Newman receive his first Oscar nomination for playing a bitter, alcoholic former star athlete opposite Elizabeth Taylor?

4. With which 1968 film about a repressed school teacher did Paul Newman make his directorial debut?

5. Name the production company that Paul Newman founded in 1971 along with Sidney Poitier, Barbra Streisand and Steve McQueen.

6. Paul Newman was nominated for nine acting Academy Awards in five different decades – 50’s, 60’s, 80’s, 90’s and finally in 2002. Which 1986 film fetched him his one and only acting Oscar?

7. Along with Peter O'Toole, Al Pacino, Bing Crosby and Cate Blanchett, Paul Newman shares a rare distinction to be nominated for an Oscar twice for playing the same role in two separate films. What was the role and the two films?

8. What unique Oscar distinction does Paul Newman share with Frank Sinatra?

9. Students of Princeton University and some other American colleges observe an annual tradition of Newman’s Day when they down 24 beers in 24 hours. This celebration is allegedly based on a Paul Newman character from one of his fims. Name the film.

10. In 1958 Paul Newman married Joanne Woodward and their 50 year long marriage is one of the most celebrated and longest matrimonial unions in the otherwise fickle Hollywood relationships. They acted together in 10 films. Name their first film together which led to Paul Newman divorcing his first wife Jackie Witte followed by their marriage.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Answers to Quiz - 63

1. In which 1946 film did Ingmar Bergman make his directorial debut?

Crisis

2. Between 1961 and 1963 Bergman produced three films on the theme of religion. These are often known as ‘The Faith Trilogy’ or ‘The Chamber Trilogy’ because of the extensive use of Bach’s chamber music in them. ‘Through a Glass Darkly’ and ‘Winter Light’ are the first 2 films of this trilogy. Name the third.

Silence

3. One of Bergman’s most celebrated techniques is the use of facial close-ups. In which 1966 film is this technique strikingly evident?

Persona

4. Bergman won three Oscars for the ‘Best Foreign Language Film’. Two of these are ‘The Virgin Spring’ and ‘Through a Glass Darkly’. Name the third, which is also his last major feature film.

Fanny and Alexander

5. Name the remote Swedish island in which Bergman spent the final decades of his life in solitude?

Fårö

6. Bergman married 5 times and in addition had romantic relationships with his actresses. Name this famous Norwegian actress by whom he had love child (daughter).




Liv Ullmann

7. The collaboration between Bergman and his cinematographer Sven Nykvist is legendary in the history of cinema. Together they made 20 films over a span of 30 years. Which was their first film together?

Sawdust and Tinsel

8. Name the production house that Bergman set up in 1966 to produce his own films

Cinematograph

9. What is the name of Bergman’s first autobiography that was published in 1987?

The Magic Lantern

10. Which of Bergman’s film contains one of the most memorable scenes in all of cinema, in which the knight portrayed by Max Von Sydow plays a game of chess against Death?

The Seventh Seal

Monday, September 15, 2008

QUIZ - 63


These days I am watching a retrospective of films by Ingmar Bergman, one of the finest film makers of all time. Here are 10 questions on Ingmar Bergman.

1. In which 1946 film did Ingmar Bergman make his directorial debut?

2. Between 1961 and 1963 Bergman produced three films on the theme of religion. These are often known as ‘The Faith Trilogy’ or ‘The Chamber Trilogy’ because of the extensive use of Bach’s chamber music in them. ‘Through a Glass Darkly’ and ‘Winter Light’ are the first 2 films of this trilogy. Name the third.

3. One of Bergman’s most celebrated techniques is the use of facial close-ups. In which 1966 film is this technique strikingly evident?

4. Bergman won three Oscars for the ‘Best Foreign Language Film’. Two of these are ‘The Virgin Spring’ and ‘Through a Glass Darkly’. Name the third, which is also his last major feature film.

5. Name the remote Swedish island in which Bergman spent the final decades of his life in solitude.

6. Bergman married 5 times and in addition had romantic relationships with his actresses. Name this famous Norwegian actress by whom he had a love child (daughter).


7. The collaboration between Bergman and his cinematographer Sven Nykvist is legendary in the history of cinema. Together they made 20 films over a span of 30 years. Which was their first film together?

8. Name the production house that Bergman set up in 1966 to produce his own films

9. What is the name of Bergman’s first autobiography that was published in 1987?

10. Which of Bergman’s film contains one of the most memorable scenes in all of cinema, in which the knight portrayed by Max Von Sydow plays a game of chess against Death?

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Answers to Quiz - 62

1. Brought by German emigrants to Argentina, identify this instrument which is an important part of the orchestra for tango music



Bandoneón

2. Which two woods are primarily used for making the violin?

Spruce and Maple

3. Often doubling as a stool, name this percussion instrument of Peruvian origin that is an important part of flamenco music.



Cajon
4. Name the 17th Century Italian, who is generally credited with the invention of piano

Bartolomeo Cristofori

5. What low profile instrument of the brass family is celebrated internationally every year, for the last 30 years on the first Friday of May?

The Tuba

6. What instrument did Dr. Robert Moog invent in 1964?

The Synthesizer

7. How many strings are there in a Grand Harp used in concerts?

47

8. The drone and the chanter are important parts of which musical instrument?

The Bagpipe

9. What musical instrument is celebrated at a world music festival held every 4 years in the German town of Trossingen?

Harmonica

10. Identify this South American wind instrument



zampoña

Sunday, September 07, 2008

QUIZ - 62

Ten questions on musical instruments

1. Brought by German emigrants to Argentina, identify this instrument which is an important part of the orchestra for tango music




2. Which two woods are primarily used for making the violin?

3. Often doubling as a stool, name this percussion instrument of Peruvian origin that is an important part of flamenco music


4. Name the 17th Century Italian, who is generally credited with the invention of piano

5. What low profile instrument of the brass family is celebrated internationally every year, for the last 30 years on the first Friday of May?

6. What instrument did Dr. Robert Moog invent in 1964?

7. How many strings are there in a Grand Harp used in concerts?

8. The drone and the chanter are important parts of which musical instrument?

9. What musical instrument is celebrated at a world music festival held every 4 years in the German town of Trossingen?

10. Identify this South American wind instrument